Meet the 2026 CITP Non-Resident Technology Fellows

Carmen López · 2026-03-04

You know how sometimes you hear about a group of people doing incredible work, and you just think, 'Wow, I need to know more about them'? That's exactly how I felt when I learned about the new CITP Non-Resident Technology Fellows for 2026. This isn't just another fellowship announcement. It's a spotlight on some of the brightest minds tackling our biggest tech challenges today. These fellows aren't your typical academics tucked away in labs. They're out in the real world, building, creating, and questioning how technology impacts everything from our daily commutes to our fundamental rights. Their work spans thousands of miles and touches millions of lives, and today, we get to introduce them. ### Who Are the 2026 Fellows? This year's cohort brings together a diverse range of expertise. We're talking about professionals who've spent years at the intersection of policy, ethics, and innovation. They come from different backgrounds—some from major tech hubs on the West Coast, others from policy institutes in Washington D.C. What unites them is a shared mission: to steer technological progress in a direction that benefits everyone. Think about the last major tech debate you followed online. Chances are, these fellows have been working on that issue for years, often behind the scenes. They're the ones asking the tough questions before a product launches, not after it causes problems. ### What Makes This Fellowship Unique? The 'Non-Resident' part is key here. These fellows aren't moving to a single campus. They're embedded in their own communities and industries, applying their research where it matters most. This model creates a network of influence that stretches across the entire country, from Silicon Valley offices to Midwest manufacturing plants. Their projects typically focus on three core areas: - **Ethical AI Development**: Creating frameworks for responsible artificial intelligence - **Digital Privacy Standards**: Building better protections for our online data - **Tech Policy Innovation**: Shaping regulations that keep pace with change One fellow put it perfectly: 'We're not here to slow down progress. We're here to make sure it moves in the right direction.' That sentiment captures the spirit of this entire initiative. ### Why This Work Matters Now Let's be honest—technology is advancing faster than our ability to understand its consequences. New tools emerge weekly, each promising to revolutionize some aspect of our lives. But without careful guidance, innovation can create as many problems as it solves. That's where these fellows come in. They serve as bridges between the tech world and the rest of society. When a company develops a new facial recognition system, these are the people asking, 'How will this affect communities of color?' When a new data collection method emerges, they're the ones measuring its impact on personal privacy. Their work isn't about saying 'no' to new technology. It's about asking 'how' and 'for whom.' That distinction makes all the difference. ### Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond As we move through 2026, the insights from this fellowship will become increasingly valuable. We're entering a period where technological decisions made today will shape our society for decades. Having thoughtful, experienced professionals guiding those decisions isn't just nice—it's essential. The fellows will be publishing research, hosting discussions, and collaborating with organizations nationwide. Their collective work represents one of our best hopes for creating technology that serves human values, rather than undermining them. So the next time you read about a major tech development, remember there are people working to ensure it helps rather than harms. People like the 2026 CITP Non-Resident Technology Fellows. They might not make headlines every day, but their work quietly shapes the technological landscape we all inhabit.